Medicinal Mushrooms are powerful natural medicines. They strengthen your health and help maintain vitality. While there are many potent medicinal mushrooms, none has been more scientifically studied and clinically monitored than the Turkey Tail mushroom. Scientifically it is known as Trametes versicolor, although the name Coriolus versicolor is also respected.
Widely used in eastern medicine, Turkey Tail mushrooms have highly active components that work gently with your body to improve health. They help fight diseases, viruses, cancer, and other immune-related illness. On top of this, they are also shown to help with a wide range of chronic diseases.
Most notably, Turkey Tail has gained popularity and is largely used worldwide for its ability to help fight cancer. While it is strongly preventative, it also helps with active cases. Synthesized compounds originally extracted from Turkey Tail are also prescribed for cancer treatment. Turkey Tail can be consumed in a variety of different forms ranging from tea, tinctures, powders, and capsules. It can also forage in almost any part of the northern hemisphere!
Turkey tail mushrooms are a wild edible mushroom that have been used medicinally for centuries They are known for their ability to boost the immune system and have antioxidant, anti-tumor, and antiviral properties. While they can be found growing in many parts of the world, turkey tail mushrooms are relatively easy to identify and safe for beginners to harvest Here is a complete guide on how to harvest turkey tail mushrooms.
Identifying Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Turkey tail mushrooms grow abundantly on dead logs, stumps, branches, and decaying wood. They are polypore mushrooms meaning they have pores or tiny holes on the underside instead of gills. Here are the key identifying features of turkey tail mushrooms
- Grow in overlapping clusters, sometimes forming shelf-like layers on wood
- Cap is round, semicircular or fan-shaped
- Cap surface has distinct concentric bands of color, like a turkey’s tail
- Colors include shades of brown, gray, orange, red, blue, purple or white
- Pores on the underside are very small and dense, about 3-4 per millimeter
- Texture is leathery and flexible when fresh
- Become brittle when dried out
Lookalikes like false turkey tail can appear similar but do not have pores on the underside. Always inspect the underside to confirm you have found true turkey tail mushrooms.
When to Harvest Turkey Tail Mushrooms
The ideal time to harvest turkey tail mushrooms is when they are vibrantly colored and appear fresh. Older specimens start to fade in color or become brittle. Turkey tails can be found throughout the year but are most abundant in spring and fall. Some tips for identifying specimens that are ready for harvesting:
- Bright, saturated colors without faded or dingy areas
- Still feels flexible/leathery, not dried out
- No visible mold, rotting or insects present
- Has not begun producing spores yet
Younger turkey tail mushrooms are best Avoid old mushrooms that have lost their color or started deteriorating
How to Harvest Turkey Tail Mushrooms
When harvesting turkey tail mushrooms, there are some best practices to follow:
- Use a mushroom knife or small hand pruner to cut mushrooms at the base
- Try to avoid pulling off chunks of bark or wood
- Leave the bottom portion of mushrooms attached to the log to allow regrowth
- Harvest only 10-20% of each colony, leaving the rest to continue fruiting
- Look for colonies with multiple turkey tail mushrooms so you can selectively harvest
- Take only specimens that are in good shape, leaving damaged ones behind
- Cut mushrooms individually instead of cluster harvesting
- Use a wicker basket or mesh bag to hold your harvest
Take care not to overharvest by only collecting younger, vibrant mushrooms and leaving much of the colony intact. Never uproot the entire mushroom growth.
Post-Harvesting Care & Storage
Proper storage after harvesting ensures turkey tail mushrooms retain their medicinal properties. Here are some tips:
- Brush off any dirt or debris – don’t wash with water yet
- Place in paper bags or breathable containers temporarily
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks if using fresh
- Dry thoroughly on racks or screens until brittle
- Store dried mushrooms in airtight glass jars out of sunlight
- Can also be frozen, pickled, or powdered
Make sure to dry turkey tail mushrooms quickly after harvesting to prevent mold growth. Store dried mushrooms in opaque airtight containers in a cool, dark place.
Using Your Turkey Tail Mushroom Harvest
There are many ways to prepare turkey tail mushrooms:
- Brew into a medicinal tea or broth by simmering dried mushrooms
- Add dried powder to smoothies, juices, soups, stews or grains
- Use mushroom extract as a tincture
- Cook fresh mushrooms into stir fries, omelets or other dishes
- Culture on logs via mushroom plugs or sawdust blocks
Consume turkey tail mushrooms regularly to get the most immune-boosting benefits. They have an earthy, woody flavor that pairs well with both sweet and savory ingredients.
Turkey tail mushrooms are a nutrient-dense wild edible mushroom with powerful medicinal benefits. Follow these best practices for identifying, sustainably harvesting, and preparing turkey tail mushrooms for use in your home apothecary. With some basic knowledge, you can harvest turkey tail mushrooms safely on your own.
What Are Turkey Tail Lookalikes?
Turkey Tail is pretty easy to distinguish from its closest lookalikes. This makes them pretty safe when it comes to foraging. The most common lookalike are species are known as âFalse Turkey Tailsâ and belong to the genus Sterum. From above, False Turkey Tails can be extremely similar. Thankfully from below they are easy to distinguish.
False Turkey Tail can be easily recognized by:
- From below they are completely smooth. The pores are invisible to the naked eye. In a real Turkey Tail, you will be able to see the pores!
- They also tend to be thinner and more papery than Turkey Tail.
When Does Turkey Tail Grow?
Turkey Tail usually fruits during the rainy season. In the northern hemisphere, it is easily found from September to May depending on your climate. Turkey Tail may dry up during the summer seasons and can still be harvested. Avoid harvesting Turkey Tail with signs of insect damage, mold, and other growths.
Turkey Tail Mushroom | Medicine Making, ID, Harvest, and More
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